UFC 170: White Explains Jones Withdrawal

By: on November 17, 2013

Although it’s been known for sometime now that Jon Jones will throw down with Glover Teixeira next, the UFC’s been having a tough time nailing down a date for the actual fight. Initially, the light-heavyweight title fight was expected to take place on February 1st, but after that date got tossed out, the promotion announced the two will fight February 22nd at UFC 170. Not long after, however, it was announced that date’s also a no go. So what’s the deal?

“Jon Jones went back in the gym and just didn’t feel good,” White said, while referring to the epic war Jones engaged in with Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165 in September. “He said his legs were still bothering him and his eye is bothering him. He still banged up from that fight.”

“That fight wasn’t that long ago,” he said. “It’s like being in a car accident.”

Of course, if you saw that fight, which Jones won via unanimous decision, it’s easy to understand why the star could need some additional time to recover. As far as a new date for Jones-Teixeira, however, White said nothing’s been determined yet. The UFC boss man also said that Teixeira won’t fight in the interim, and that he’s still in line for a title shot.

After it was announced that the two wouldn’t fight at UFC 170, White relayed that they’re hoping to book the bout for March. Hopefully Jones is ready to go sooner than later.

UFC 170, meanwhile, is expected to take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.